EEE mailbox 2 eer ~ oF geet A7 - Wednesday, December 3, 1980 - North Shore News Dear Editor: I would like, through your pages, to express my admira- tion for the manner in which the Minister of Education, Mr. Brian Smith, handled the Educational Forum at Brooksbank School on November 19. Many ex- cellent briefs were presented full of factual content and reasonable recommenda- tions, and the minster was most impressive in his brief and courteous response to each. He ieft the clear im- pression that each brief would receive careful con- sideration, and that the whole exercise was a very valuable one which could have some very good con- sequences in the future. I was even more impress- ed that the minster was able to respond courteously but firmly to the minority of briefs whose authors descended to abuse and vituperation directed towards teachers, school ad- ministrators and elected school trustees. I quite understand that such frustration can be more easily relieved by spewing out abuse at a_ public meeting, thaa by standing at Hospital praised OPEN LETTER TO LIONS GATE HOSPITAL AD- MINISTRATOR JOHN BORTHWICK Sir, some six months ago I was struck down by a stroke. I spent five and a_ half months in the Lions Gate Hospital. I thought by this time I should take pen in hand and congratulate you on the excellent job you are doing in running this hospital. While no expert on hospitals in general, I cannot say enough about the care I received, nor the complete dedication of the staff. The Physio Department has an excellent staff. How these girls handle 200 pound male patients Ill never know. Come to the end of each day they have most certainly earned thew salary and more. During the time I was there we had two barbecues out on the lawn and several other outings. What other hospital does this for the patients? I understand there was quite a controversy re the amount of money spent on the lobby and lounge area. Both my wife and I found it a great place to visit with friends, rather than a hospital room. To be sure the people on the North Shore are most fortunate to have a hospital like Lions Gate to serve them. My heartiest congratulations on a job well done. J.R. Hoffat West Vancouver B.C. must get gas tax dollars Dear Editor: Ottawa is biased. Its favouritism of the East at the cxpense of the West shows up, for instance, in its pricing of natural gas. Everyone living cast of Toronto will pay the Toronto city gate price for gas, New Brunswickers and Nova Scotians included. Westerners, mcanwhile, will have to get by on their own. Natural gas for Vancouver Island? Ottawa has never helped B.C. financially on any cnergy project of note in the past. And i will be surprising if it docs so now But we must not sit back. Soon we will be paying a heavy energy tax to Ottawa for new energy projects in various parts of the country Victoria must get some of this federal moncy back. And what better way than investing it in pipelines DINING LOUNGE ep a] WONG'S WOK, Gourmet Cansonese Cumine EERE : on ORDER IN CHINESE which will put B.C. gas into every city and town in the province? Jack Davis,MLA North Vancouver-Seymour ore | I. a oed we oN edd { ] ff fa renyy i yh SAMURAI JAPANESE VILLAGE Steak House 83 Chesterfield Ave. MY 986-1155 eaten ® mo Mee ately your open window and screaming ‘rm mad as hell and rm not going to take it any more’, ['m not at all sure, however, that it serves to advance one’s cause. I was assured by one of the more vociferous speakers after the meeting that anyone in politics has to ex- pect such abuse and not to take it personally. I have to admit that, as an elected trustee for 11 years, I still really don't expect it. Indeed, during the last St Ds > See SS dD V5 OC Re Minister taught critics courtesy three years or so, when school board policies I had helped to set were being at- ‘tacked determinedly by an organized group of North Van citizens, 1 have been prepared to respect the honesty, integrity and sincerity of our critics, whatever their views might be. I have come increasingly to realize that they in turn have tended to regard me and my fellow trustees as dishonest, devious, in- sincere, and working to Stephanie's is for Kide! 20% hy OFF OUR ENTIRE STOCK or HOUSECOATS. Now 3%, 21% THE FASHION CENTRE FOR CHILDREN RICHMOND CENTRE 273-4325 PACIFIC CENTRE 669-2513 LANSDOWNE PARK 278-6334 COQUITLAM CENTRE 464-1741 CHINOOK CENTRE -- CALGARY OAKRIDGE 261-3617 PARK ROYAL 926-5616 GUILDFORD TOWN CENTRE 535-2622 SURREY PLACE serve our own interests rather than those of parents, children and _ citizens. I realize that both of us were probably mistaken. However that may be, I think that both the minister and the local trustees learn- ed a good deal at the forum. I look forward to the next one. M. Burbidge Trustee North Van School Board SLIM Tm ame WRRARAA = = _ ney unt amber 12 + betore _ they spend it all on Christmas prosents. _ GAPILANO ' COLLEGE 2055 Purcell Way North Vancouver Up the Hill from the Coach House